Self-Improvement Archives

Is Confidence a Skill or an Inborn Character Trait?

Is confidence a skill or something you’re born with? To what extent is confidence a matter of nurture as opposed to nature? Confidence helps you take bold steps in the face of obstacles or adversity because it reminds you that you have the strength to overcome and succeed. Some claim that confidence is a skill that can be developed through practice. Others say that confidence, akin to IQ, is determined by genetics. Here’s what science has to say on the matter.

Critical Practices: What Are They & Why Are They Useful?

What are critical practices? How can you identify critical practices to accomplish a goal? According to the authors of Influencer, critical practices are the behaviors that need to change in order to accomplish a goal. While identifying them can be challenging, there are many ways to do so so you can reach success. Let’s look at several strategies for finding and implementing a critical practice.

How to Influence Others: The 3 Steps for Inspiring Change

What is the key to influencing others? Why is it important to be an influencer? Being an influencer means you can convince people to make positive changes in the world. In the book Influencer, the authors highlight three specific steps to take to be an influential person. Here’s how to influence others in just three steps.

Influencer: The New Science of Leading Change—Overview

What is Influencer: The New Science of Leading Change about? What are the main takeaways of the book? According to the authors of Influencer: The New Science of Leading Change, accomplishing goals is all about knowing how to change human behavior. Drawing on their background in social science and organizational change, Joseph Grenny, Kerry Patterson, David Maxfield, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler break down the complex task of influencing people into a simple three-step process. Read below for a brief overview of Influencer.

Developing Discipline: The Psychology of Success

Why is it important to practice self-discipline? How does your capacity for self-discipline influence your life outcomes? By practicing discipline, you gain control over your thoughts and actions. This allows you to overcome bad habits, false excuses, distractions, and emotions in order to effectively accomplish daily tasks that lead to your long-term goals. Keep reading to learn about the psychology of discipline and some strategies to help you improve it.

How to Improve Soft Skills (+ The 5 Most Important Ones)

What are soft skills? Why is it important to improve soft skills? Soft skills are character traits and interpersonal skills that help you work well with others. These skills are especially important in the workplace, where social skills and emotional intelligence are highly valued. Below you’ll learn how to improve soft skills so you can improve your work performance.

The Art of Accepting Change and Moving on

Do you have a hard time accepting change and moving forward to the next chapter in your life? How does refusing to embrace change prevent you from living to the fullest? In all aspects of life, there is only one thing that is certain, and that is change. Therefore, resisting change is resisting life itself. If you want to live a rich and fulfilling life, you need to work on accepting change—good and bad, big and small, expected or unexpected. Here’s a guide on how to accept change and move forward without regrets and resistance.

The Top 10 Self-Discipline Books

What role does self-discipline play in your life? Is discipline a fixed trait or is it something you can improve through practice? Most people think of discipline as a virtue, an admirable trait that we strive for but don’t always achieve. But science tells a different story: Discipline is like a muscle that can be trained with practice. In this article, we’ve rounded up the best self-discipline books to add to your reading list.

What Is a Limiting Factor? Definition + Examples

What is a limiting factor? What are some real-world examples of limiting factors? Everybody has limiting factors in their life, but they aren’t always obvious. For example, let’s say you want to quit smoking, but no matter how hard you try, your efforts fail. You blame yourself for this failure, but the real limiting factor is that you live with two smokers in the same apartment. Keep reading for the definition of a limiting factor.

The Psychology of Emotional Decision-Making

Do you tend to make decisions based on emotions or cold logic? How can you prevent your emotions from getting in the way of important decisions? When we’re faced with a high-stakes decision, it can be hard to think straight because our emotions run high. However, decisions based on emotions have a high chance of backfiring. Keep reading to learn about the psychology of emotional decision-making.